Politics
Karl Rove Pledges To Vote Against GOP In Shock Betrayal
Karl Rove says he is preparing to cast his first vote for a Democrat in more than three decades, breaking with the GOP in a Texas race roiled by Republican nominee Bo French’s comments about South Asian college students.
The longtime Fox News analyst and former adviser to President George W. Bush told attendees at a private Austin lunch that he would support Houston Democrat Jon Rosenthal for the Texas Railroad Commission, according to The Texas Tribune.
By late Monday, President Donald Trump was taking aim at Rove on Truth Social, calling him “bad” for Republicans and saying he frequently gets things wrong.
“He suffers from a major case of Trump Derangement Syndrome primarily because, for almost 10 years, I beat back and won against so many of the people and things that he wanted and espoused,” Trump said.
Rove’s planned crossover vote would be a rare one, by his own account. He told the gathering that the only Democrat he had previously voted for was Bob Bullock, the Texas lieutenant governor who sought reelection in 1994.
Three people who attended the members-only event at Austin’s Headliners Club told the Tribune that Rove called French a “bigot.” The outlet granted the attendees anonymity to describe the discussion.
The dispute erupted Sunday over a photo of students celebrating the Texas Longhorns’ football victory over Ohio State. French shared a post on X depicting Indian students in the stands.
“I didn’t believe it. The problem is now obviously far worse than anyone imagined,” French wrote.
POLL: Should Fox News Fire Jessica Tarlov?
Some Republicans joined Democrats in condemning the remarks. French stood by his comments Monday and dismissed Republican critics as “less conservative.”
The controversy has drawn attention to a race for an agency responsible for regulating Texas oil and gas production. French’s campaign has repeatedly focused on immigration and culture war issues that fall outside of the commission’s authority.
After defeating Railroad Commissioner Jim Wright for the Republican nomination, French targeted Rosenthal over a mask the Democrat wore on the Texas House floor in 2021 bearing the words “Protect trans youth,” the Tribune reported.
His social media activity previously put him at odds with Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. Last year, Patrick demanded that French step down as Tarrant County Republican chairman after he posted a poll asking whether Jews or Muslims posed a greater threat to America.
Patrick backed French’s primary opponent but reportedly shifted his support after French secured the nomination.
